Johnly Yfeko forces Michael Beale into Rangers transfer rethink after ‘overloaded’ admission
Rangers boss Michael Beale admits Johnly Yfeko’s performance against Hamburg has given him food for thought in the transfer market.
The Gers have been linked with a move for Nottingham Forest defender Jonathan Panzo and Auston Trusty of Arsenal during a heavy summer rebuild that has seen seven players already arrive.
However, Rangers have Connor Goldson and Leon King to return from injury, and John Souttar, Leon Balogun and Ben Davies all on the books, with 20-year-old Yfeko also impressing in a 2-1 pre-season win over Hamburg on Saturday (22 July).
Beale is now pondering whether he already has enough options at centre-back.
“We are possibly still in the market for another defender, but Johnly Yfeko has given me something to think about. Connor Goldson isn’t a million miles away, so if anything we’re a little bit overloaded there,” Beale said, as reported by the Daily Record.
Change of heart
With the emergence of Yfeko and a limited budget as it is, Rangers might be better off now targeting other areas in what remains of the summer transfer window as they look to strengthen in order to compete with Celtic next year.
With Goldson expected to make a comeback soon and the arrival of Balogun, as well as the options of Souttar and Davies, and King still to return from injury, there are plenty of options at the back.
Yfeko now offers another option and although his young age and lack of experience might perhaps mean he is not quite ready for the demands of a title charge, it is still depth within the squad.
Beale wants plenty of competition within his squad to make sure players are competing for spaces, however, when it comes to his defensive options, he might already have that healthy level of competition. Other areas of the squad might be better served strengthening.
In other Rangers news, a transfer target has been on fire for his club during pre-season.